Saw Rheumy today. I have been under a flare up and it's my knees that are hurting me the most. She said I have bursitis and can come with autoimmune and osteoarthritus. I had a corticosteroid injection (ouch) in each knee. Now they are feeling much better.
Didn't realize that the knees could/would be affected. Has anyone else had this happen to them. Why would my AI cause this?
Sassie
Sassie, I don't know the answer, but I'd guess "why not"? I've only been dx with Sjogrens two years, but probably have haD IT 9 years -or more? I had a partial knee replacement 8 years ago and am now having problems with it. The other knee has quite a bit of osteoarthritis in it too. Is it Sjs, is it age, ? We just don't know I guess. I was in my 50's with the replacement, which isn't real young, but most replacements are a bit older unless many due to extreme overweight. (Mine wasn['t.)
Those shots really do hurt, but are worth it if you get a long time pain free and you might. Please let us know how they've worked.
Lucy
I also have severe knee pain. In combination with my ankle and hip pain, it is so painful I can't walk and am currently using a wheelchair.
If I'm remembering correctly, non-degenerative arthritis is fairly common with Sjogren's.
I'm really interested to hear that those injections seemed to help! None of my doctors have even suggested I try that. Hmmm.
-Lauren
Lauren,
I've had injections for my pain quite a few times. Mostly I get them from my pain mgmt. doctor. I was surprised to get them from the Rheumy. My knees still feel pretty good and I don't have the pain in my ankles either.
I need to go back to my pain management doctor now. She will do trigger point injections in my shoulders and that's a short term fix, but it helps. I also see another doctor who is her associate who does the nerve blocks. These will be in my lower back and sacrillac and have lasted anywhere between 2 weeks to 8 months. I have had about 14 so far and the really help me. I go in gimping and in pain and come out walking (slowly) but walking upright. The time it only lasted 2 weeks was because I overstrained my back from work.
Sassie
My knees are what hurts me the most. It seems to have eased up some, but now has moved to my ankles. I've heard the line "if you lose weight, they wouldn't hurt", but I've been dieting, have lost weight, and they still hurt!
I too have severe knee pain, and I have had 3 surgeries on my left knee due to Osteoarthritis. My Rheumy says it is all related. I also have fibromyalgia, which causes pain on the inside of both knees.
I hope you feel better!
Hi :)
I know bursitis can be related to SjS. SjS can cause inflammation of connective tissues so any ligaments, tendons, etc etc can be affected.
My rheumy says osteoarthritis is NOT due to Sjogren's. He says it's sheer bad luck I have it too. I had it really badly in one knee and needed a partial knee replacement. I still have it in the other side of that knee but not too badly yet. My other knee and my shoulders are also affected. Not badly enough to warrant replacents although I was offered a shoulder one. I'd have to hurt a lot more to go for one. The partial knee replacenment was great and moved me from pretty disabled to not disabled. My shoulder is not disabling.
People without autoimmune diseases also develop osteoarthritis and it can hit some people when they are quite young as well. Life is just not fair.
Take care - Scottie :)
I give any doctor who tells it's because of my weight a very dirty look. Skinny people have the same problems and I don't hear the doctors telling them to put on a few pounds and all will be better.
I've put doctors on the spot by asking them if they only see over weight people? When they tell me no, then I say "so you're telling me skinny people have this too?"
Having perfect weather will make me feel better too. But mother nature can't control the weather any better than I can my weight. lol
It was because of my painful knees, shoulders, ankle, hand, fingers and toes that my doctor checked my ANA and found out I had Sjorgren's. My rheumy put me on Neurontin which helped the pain immediately. I still get some degree of pain from time to time but not like it was before. I also swear by the cod liver oil that my chiropractor suggested. It has very little taste and is not at all disgusting.
I wish you relief from your knee pain.
Debbie
I have experienced, sore knees, sore swollen anckle, neck and back pain, shoulder paid and hip pain. They all start coming on after I turned 40. I was really worried as I thought I was too young to feel like an old lady. I have been taken 2000 mg of MSM. for a few weeks. I don't know if it's all the vitamins I'm taking or the the nice warm weather, but I don't feel so sore. Unfortunately I still have the other symtoms of dry eyes, headache, and tender lymphnodes.
Hi there, I haven't been on for some time as my health has been pretty good. I've continued my walking, begun a new relationship (in the last 3months, which is lovely) but sadly, I've developed stiffness, soreness and pain in my knees, the right knee has some fluid and is warmer than the other. It's all happened over the last month or so!! Probably due to the excitement of a new relationship :-)
The first symptom I noticed was a stiffness behind the right knee, especially after resting. The muscle strength is good. I've stopped exercising for the meantime as it makes things worse. I'm been to the Dr who's running another set of blood tests. All my blood counts are normal and the ANAs are expected back soon. Of course I'm always sero-negative but am ever hoping something will turn up!!
I'm taking Brufen Retard 800 and just waiting for this flare to pass. I've had muscle soreness before but not the joint involvement so it's rather scary...
The new man (who lives in another city here in NZ) knows about my autoimmune stuff (CFS/ dryness issues, mouth and eyes) but has always seen me as fit. I told him about things right at the beginning when we first met. I've told him about the occasional flares I have and he's done a bit of reading! I feel that I need to tell him that it's OK for him to end the relationship if he feels that he's not comfortable with the changes...I don't want to be a burdon on anyone or tie them down. It's only early days but we get on so well and the long term plan is that I may move to his town. So two things happening at one time!! It's only 45 mins by plane from where I live, but all this stuff is so unpredictable!!
I'm 53 and have been divorced for 14 years. My 2 adult daughter live close. I'm still part time teaching which I enjoy :-)
I'd really appreciate any feedback you may have :-)
Cheers,
Lesley (New Zealand)
Les,
Girl, you had better come up with something so that you can keep up with that new man! Ain't nothing like a sweet courtship. It's nice to say he SHOULD understand, but as grown peoples we know that's not aleays the case. That's a hard one cus not knowing him, can't say. Let's just hope he is understanding. How old is he? Not that it really matters, even SOME older one now a days have the nerves to be picky. Some of them can have a foot in the grave themselves and have the nerve to insist they want a pretty young healthy woman with plenty of energy, especially those that have tricked some doctor into giving them one of those majic pills.
I think chances are if he has not ran yet he probaly won't, especially if he's read up on it and hane seen you mostly at your best (not flaring often enough to interfer with new relationship too much). I sure wouldn't push myself too much trying to prove anything, cuz we know it would only cause SJSto really flare up to show both him and you who's really BOSS! Don't make SJS really showout in front of your new beau, just yet.
Lesley, wonderful about your new romance! You just said you were 53 and I'm assuming he's somewhere around your age, give or take a few years.
It's been awhile since I was 53, but I wasn't out running laps. I would bet your new fellow has a few crinkles in his crank, too. He certainly doesn't want to talk about it just yet! Lucy
Hi Bernice and thanks...he's 52, so same age really :) We have good communication so it's easy to say how and what we feel. Ultimately, it has to feel right for both partners, so I'll just go with the flow and see what happens...
If something showed up positive for a change, I'd be able to go onto plaquinel immediately and give it a go! However, my rhumatologist is pretty good and would prescribe according to symptoms. Although I can feel a low level aching, there's no point that actually hurts when I touch or push it...it was the same at the Dr's!!! Hopefully, this is just a flare ::)
Thanks, Lesley :)
:) Thanks Lucy lol, I'm fitter than him at present too! He could also loose half a stone too...all that NZ dairy produce :D In saying that he does exercise, walks tramps, has a rowing machine etc!!! Doesn't always use them consistently though ;)
Lesley - lovely to have news that made me smile! :D
Les, I too thank you for a refresh. It's good to talk about something else besides sickness all the time!
I'm 47, my husband 53 and shoot I have more issues with health than he does. Just to keep making him remember he's got a sweet young thang, on my good days I make sure I'm especially sweet cuz on some of these off days I can kind of, well yall know, Let's just say it ain't always pretty!
You got a man that communicates and ain't dragging his feet when he walks and talks? Girl he's a keeper! At our age those come few and far inbetween!!! ::) ;D ;D
You enjoy your new man, keep your wits about ya and enjoy some more! So that's why Joy is a part of ya name, huh? :)
Thanks for your replies :) I've been really lucky so far, with symptoms that come and go and just the dryness issues usually.
Fortunately I've had no pain when I rest or am asleep, so alot of it is muscle and joint fatigue. I also have a bit of, shoulder, hip and elbow involvement. There's also fasciculations (muscle twitching) which I get when my muscles are tired plus I'm not sleeping well (what's new). The last flare I had involving muscle/joints was shoulders in 2005 and before that 1995/6...so pretty good really.
Today I've resigned myself to the fact that I'm in a flare. I'm not going to stress about it too much and just take it easy...
I'm am resting, eating and drinking well, reading and watching a bit of TV, then doing a few essentials and resting again. I don't have work till Tuesday so plenty of time to rest over the weekend :)
I'm really interested in knowing if many people here have begun new relationships in their 40's 50's 60's that have worked out well (or not) and what have been the attitudes of these partners and how have they coped during your flares??
Cheers,
Lesley (New Zealand)
My knees ache quite often, even at night when my legs are at rest.
Good question Les,
I would think dating someone with sjogrens in these age groups would be quite the norm for most people of that age group since most have issues of some kind themelves, especially those that don't have alot of the symtoms. Only I would honestly wonder about those that suffer with the drness of the VAJAYJAY would find it more of a challenge to venture into a new marriage, if you know what I mean? But then again that may not be something that can't be overcomed or accepted by a new partner. Don't know if that's something that should be discussed before marrage or not.
I have lots of knee problems. I am sure a lot of it is a am a hairstylist and stand most of the day. But I know it is more than just that .The pain seems to move around a lot .But it also has its special places it likes. I have had surgery on one knee . It was better for a while then it was worse then ever when it started up again it almost feels like there is a pad in it and it is hard too bend. I had some kind of injections that help cushion the knees or replace the cartilage not sure. It did help quite a bit .First time it lasted about 2 years. This time it has only been about 1 year so far .It helps. It is made from the crowns of roosters but I can't recall the name right now.
Dryeye,
Wrinkles in his crank, can you say that? :D
Eye,
that's my point oo! You will be hard pressed to find anyone at our age and above that don't have a few issues too, they may be able to hide it a little more, but they got something! I t just puzzles me those that have the nerve to be picky enough to think they deserve a fly girl that will run laps around him. Not to say in ANY way Les. man is like that, but there are so many like that. Look at Donald Trumph for instant, that man know he should have cut that hair many years ago, he got that flap spread from one side of his head to the other refusing to give it up in an effort to hid fact that that young wife of his is, well maybe he just wants to forget fact he is old, Im sure he loves fact she is young!
Women are a bit more senible when it comes to that, but there are coguars too! That seems to be a poplar thing now a days. I mean not too many of us want to take on an old man that drags his leg and can't keep up. Taking on the job of health aide in our condition ain't something most of us will voluteer for either. Shoot even healthier people will think twice about that! It's someting else if that person has grown on ya after years of love.
Hi Bernice, luckily I don't have dryness problems of the of the VAJAYJAY , which is weird as I believe it goes together with the dry eyes and mouth :-)
I use the Ovestin estrogen vaginal cream which works well for me ;)
Cheers, Lesley (NZ)
Les,
I really don't have a problem there either, BUT I have noticed a time or two where it was quite, well, wasn't what it should have been. I don't know what that was all about because since I've been O.K. BUT ya know what went through my mind when it happened. >:( >:( ??? ??? ??? ??? ;D ;D
Me? I ain't too worried about it though cause I keep plenty of vaseline at hand, just don't want to have to kill the mood by stopping to smear a glob of it on. ::) >:( ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D